Guide for Profitable, Drumstick Cultivation

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Drumstick cultivation is easy, less time consuming and paying as well. Therefore, interested farmers may go in for such endeavour.Drumstick cultivation is easy, less time consuming and paying as well. Therefore, interested farmers may go in for such endeavor. It is a fast-growing, drought-resistant tree, native to the southern foothills of the Himalayas in northwestern India, and widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical areas where its young seed pods and leaves are used as vegetables. It can also be used for water purification and hand washing, and is sometimes used in herbal medicine.

Utility of Drumstick (DS)

Every parts of drumstick is useful. Tender leaves and sticks have high amount of Protein, Carbohydrates, Vitamin A, Vitamin C and i\[inerals. Each part is used as medicine. The data presented inTable 2provided very useful information regarding drumstick. Inaddition to sticks and leaves flowers of DS (drumstick) are valued ingredients of food which are not only tasty but nutritive too. Its juice is useful as a protection from bacterial diseases.

Soil and Climate

It can be grown in variety of soils, but lo amy, sandy loam soils are better suite d.Sadiesoils and also dry conditions are quite ok.

Variety

GenerallyDSprovides flower once in a year, but a variety called Najne gives flower throughout the year. Fruit of Na jne is thick and shor t. "Tatanagar" is a high yielding Najne variety. its fruits are long and it flowers profusely and gi,·es high yields.

Name and qualities of some important varieties are mentioned below:

Raising Seedlings

Seedlings raising is easy. It can be propagated from seed and also from branches. About 15 cm x 7 cm polythene bag is most suited. May - June is the best time. During May - June, Soil and organic manure in 2:1 ratio has to be put in pol y packets two seeds are to be put in each packets and kept under shade and watered regularly. Germination takes place after 8-10 da ys. Afte r 30-35 days seedlings, are ready for planting in main land . About 800 gms seeds / ha is enough.

Vegetative Propagation

One to two metre long branch is cut from the mother plant and planted in soil with adequate moisture and the cut portion of the head is co,·ered with a lump of soil.

Land Prepiaration and Planting

Deep ploughing is done for DS cultivation. Pits measuring 1ft x 1ft x 1ft at a distance of 2.5 m is prepared during summer months. Pits are filled with 2 kgFYMand soil. On the onset of monsoon, the seedlings are planted in the pits. About 1500 plants are needed for a ha of land. Seedlings prepar ed by vegetative propagation also can be planted in the pits after filling with the manures. The banks of ponds and waste lands can be conveniently used for DS planting. (5)

Interculture Operation

Timely and proper weeding at the initial stage of growth is needed. Seedlings raised from seeds need to be pruned, when plants reach a height of about 3 ft. This helps in the branching of the plants and many fruits could be had from lower height.

Fertiliser Application

After 3 months of planting, 50 gN,20 gP20 5and 25 g of K 20 are added per pits. In addition, about 5 kg FYM / vermi compost is to be added per plant.

Irrigation

During dry season irrigation helps for better growth of DS plants.

Plant Protection Measures

DS is highly susceptable to various insects. Cater pillar, hair y cater pillar etc. are some of the common insects. Hairy cater pillars feed on leaves and buds and during day time stay at the base of the plants. T his could be conveniently controlled by soap solution application during day time when they gather together at the base of the plants.

Harvesting

After 6 months of 'plan ting, harvesting are can be done. On average 200 fruits could be obtained. After harvesting, prunning of plants is done to get more branches and fruits in the next season.

From the vegetative propagation tall plants are obtained. Therefore, after harvesting, branches haYe to be axed. Initially about 90 fruits per plants are obtained but with the passage of times about 800 - 1000 DS are obtained / plant.